Del Mar Opening Day To Be On A Thursday In 2014

A Day's Delay For The Kentucky Derby Of The West Coast

The Kentucky Derby of the West Coast, Opening Day at Del Mar race track in San Diego's North County, will be on a Thursday in 2014. The date is July 17. Racing will run thru Wednesday, Sept. 3.

Traditionally, Opening Day is always on the third Wednesday of the month.

"But with the San Diego County Fair running until Sunday, July 6 in 2014, the extra day to prepare the grounds and the racing surface – and to allow horses to adapt to it – was considered a safety priority," the track released on a statement. "Del Mar last opened on a Thursday in 1999, and also opened on that day in 1969 and 1956."

Del Mar Opening Day is one of San Diego's top social events of the year. More than 50,000 people attend, jamming the facility and turning it into a one-day party. Girls show up on cocktail dresses and decorated hats – just like the Kentucky Derby – and guys, well, they drink lots of cocktails and beer and mingle with the girls. It's quite the scene.

The party at Del Mar doesn't stop there, however. Throughout the summer season the track hosts Friday night concers and those are quite popular among San Diego's singles. This year marks the 75th year of summer racing at Del Mar.

And there's more party opportunities at Del Mar in 2014, for the track also announced a fall schedule, giving it two racing seasons. The fall season runs from Friday, Nov. 7-Sunday, Nov. 30. It will race Friday-Saturday-Sunday on its first weekend then Thursday through Sundays.

"Track officials are planning a totally different theme to the session, one that calls on the track’s Hollywood roots harkening back to its founder, Bing Crosby, and his show business connections," according to the Del Mar announcement.